C17: Thyborøn City and Harbour

Activity C17 Thyborøn City and Harbour will gain from actions under C1 relating to desk analysis and identification of knowledge gaps and reviews of in the risk maps and planned actions.

Experience will be exchanged between demonstration projects C8, C11, C14 and C18 dealing with the coastal cities of Horsens, Randers and Juelsminde.

A common understanding between stakeholders of sustainable solutions (economically, environmentally, socially and long term) with a focus on land use, cost-effective measures, planning, implementation, maintenance and operation will be shared and developed across actions C8, C9, C10, C11, C14, C18 and facilitated by Central Denmark Region.

Under C1 a workshop will be held to assess synergies and possibilities of integrated solutions for the fjords at the East Coast from which the western city of Thyborøn and its harbor may also benefit.

Under action C3, in selected areas a detailed local model is set up focusing on groundwater, surface and/or seawater. Models are based on the present data and collections of new data sets e.g geophysical data and C17 will benefit from this model. Under action C3, in selected areas a detailed local model is set up focusing on groundwater, surface and/or seawater.

Models are based on the present data and collections of new data sets e.g geophysical data and C17 will benefit from this model.

Under Action C4 Rainwater, C17 will gain from the identification and experience of different setup models and testing of SUDS within CDR.

Under action C5 specific training courses, workshops and masterclasses, with point of departure in the challenges experienced by the partners will be implemented for the benefit of action C16 and other actions.

Under action C6, the groundwater-surface water model and screening tool is developed and tested, and known warning systems in DK and in other countries are explored, and simple warning systems with flood prediction are tested and demonstrated, all activities which may benefit C17 directly.

C17 is linked to a complementary project by LVS. In the coming years, LVS is going to invest in maintenance and innovation of sewer systems and other measures to make LK infrastrukture to drainage more sustainable.

The eventual investment strategy of the renewal of the sewer system is highly linked to the C17 action.

Furthermore, the analyses and models of the action will affect the choises of future investments in coastal areas. 2.9 mio € are allocated to this project.

Heavy or prolonged rain events becoming an increasingly problem in Thyborøn. The top soil layer is saturated, and the water can neither infiltrate nor derived. The result is water on roads that can only slowly be drained.

There is an increasing need to climate adapt Thyborøn, which will require large investments. These investments must be multifunctional, providing added value to citizens and others who must finance climate solutions.

What

Based on previous work by among others Lemvig Municipality, the Danish Coastal Authority, Geodatastyrelsen, the Harbour of Thyborøn, CDR, the need for further data will be assessed. Many factors influence future climate challenges in Thyborøn: How much and how rapidly is groundwater rising? Where, how much and how quickly is the subsoil subsiding in Thyborøn? A solid database to provide a qualified estimate of future investments is required. During Phase 1, a thorough mapping will take place supplemented with a study and monitoring program to construct a dynamic CCA model that adapts to the reality that we measure.

How

Phase 1

1.  Building on existing work, a more detailed mapping of the groundwater level and subsidence in Thyborøn takes place. Thyborøn City should be divided into zones having different degrees of CCA needs. Low-lying areas where the groundwater is high and subsidence is prominent need urgent reaction.
2. Establishing a more detailed monitoring program on groundwater levels and subsidence in Thyborøn. In cooperation with the Agency for Data Supply and Efficiency (SDFE), a plan for the monitoring of subsidence in Thyborøn will be developed. Project partners are already engaged in a Horizon 2020 application from SDFE as end-users (cf. complementary project), in which the possibility of using satellite-based measurements of land is examined. In addition, an even more comprehensive monitoring program of groundwater levels in Thyborøn is to be established. Project partners' skills will here be supplemented by external advisors.
3. Around the polluted areas, existing data collated and assessed what new data is needed.

Phase 2 and beyond

1. The project partners initiate together with relevant stakeholders the development of a dynamic adaptation model describing groundwater level as a function of seawater level, groundwater level, subsidence and wind conditions. This includes: analysis and the modeling of the interaction between rainwater, groundwater and seawater on the basis of a simplified hydrogeological model. The model will form the basis for an assessment of the impact from the contaminated areas facing the vulnerable natural areas at Harboøre Tange.
2. The subject for the C18 ("Citizen-driven climate adaptation in Juelsminde") is the the modeling of rising groundwater after high tide. We expect that the two projects can benefit greatly from each other as rising groundwater after high tide is a key challenge in Thyborøn.
3. Wind conditions and seawater levels are already monitored today, and data are publicly available at national level. It will be studied whether there is a need for a more detailed, the local monitoring.
4. The dynamic adaptation model must be a user-friendly tool for both professionals and lay people, providing an overview of climate changes on a local scale in the next 5, 10 and 50 years.

Where: the project area around Harboøre Tange and Thyborøn

When:
Phase 1: activities 1-3
Phase 2 and Phase 3: activities 4-7

It is crucial to achieve local support and understanding of the work on Climate Change Adaption and thus secure the future of Thyborøn City and Harboøre Tange. So far, the Municipality of Lemvig and Lemvig Water and Wastewater has primarily informed the public about the challenge through press releases in local newspapers and local TV.

The aim has been to describe the climate challenge on the basis of a good data, before involving citizens actively in finding solutions. However, the municipality has already had many inquiries from citizens not being able to infiltrate surface water, and that surface water covers roads and large areas because of cloudbursts and longer-lasting rainfall.

Therefore, contact with the citizens is highly prioritized in this project – through more public meetings, workshops, cooperation with companies and other stakeholders.

There is also a need for a close dialogue between relevant authorities (the municipality, the CDR, the Danish Nature Agency, the Coastal Authority, Environmental Agency) and companies (such as the chemicals company FMC/Cheminova) in order to ensure broad support for the efforts and effective implementation of solutions.

How:
Phase 1 and 2

1. The project includes a series of public meetings and workshops where citizens and other stakeholders informed of the progress of the project and in various ways encouraged and motivated to take part in the process of mapping the climate challenge to concrete proposals for solutions.
2. A technical advisory group (partners, the Coastal Authority, Thyborøn Harbour, Danish EPA, etc.) participates. Such a forum for cooperation on handling climate challenges already exists in Thyborøn today.
3. In addition, we will establish an advisory group of key stakeholders - local citizens’ associations who contribute to disseminate the project's progress, the Danish Nature Agency in Western Jutland, which has significant of interest in the area around Thyborøn.

Where: the project area around Harboøre Tange and Thyborøn

When:
Phase 2 and Phase 3

Subsidence affects the underground supply infrastructure. Conventional pipelines for the transport of surface water and wastewater last much shorter as local subsidence lead to fracture. This is already a challenge for Lemvig Water and Wastewater, being responsible for underground infrastructure for approximately 50 mio. DKK in Thyborøn. Usual life expectancy of 100 years for pipelines is not realistic in Thyborøn.

Part of the solution to the climate challenge in Thyborøn may well be pumping water in order to lower the groundwater level in critical areas. This requires flexible pipelines that last for many years despite local subsidence. It will require a development project initiated in cooperation with the competent manufacturers of pipelines, since these pipelines do not exist today. The project must build on sustainable solutions that take account of the specific sensitive natural areas (eg Natura 2000, the Ramsar area and the Limfjord).

How
Phase 1 and 2

1. An innovation work is initiated together with knowledge institutions and private actors in order to develop flexible pipeline material that have long life with limited maintenance in environments characterized by landsætning.
2. Together with specialists, clear requirements specifications for pipes must be formulated, which can form the starting point for the development work.
3. The work forms the basis for designing long-term and sustainable solutions preventing the spread of the contamination in the area.

When
2018-2020

Where: the project area around Harboøre Tange and Thyborøn

Activities C17.1, 2, and 3 are expected to provide thorough knowledge of climate challenges in Thyborøn, contact with the citizens and businesses, that are landowners in the exposed area. This forms the basis for discussing CCA solutions – organizing stakeholders as well as installations to solve climate challenges. The project also investigates how contamination of Harboøre Tange is expected to be affected by future climate change it forms the basis for designing future preventive measures.

How
Phase 2 and beyond

1. Based on the survey of the main problem areas in Thyborøn, stakeholders are motivated to organize in order to establish joint solutions at a fair sharing of costs.
2. Architectural competition will be launched for architects and consulting agencies can put forward skitseprojekt for the drainage of critical areas in Thyborøn. Bids must contain added value in other areas, such as using the pumped water for recreational purposes, water sports or other activity.
3.  Solutions to the CCA challenges are sought inside and outside of Denmark (e.g. the Netherlands and Northern Germany)

When  
2019-2022

Where: the project area around Harboøre Tange and Thyborøn

The town of Thyborøn is amont the most climate vulnerable in Denmark and is challenged by climate change from all sides: from the top, the bottom, and the sides. It is protected by dikes against storm surges from the North Sea and the Limfjorden, but since the waterlevel in the North Sea affects the groundwater level, the latter is seen to be increasing in the area. This is aggravated by the fact that large parts of Thyborøn underground is based on filling material from the past. In some areas of Thyborøn, subsidence of 1 cm per year can be seen.

At the same time, Harboøre Tange experiences massive pollution due to the fact that the factory Cheminova has occupied the area since 1952. The manufacturing sites are heavily contaminated, as is an old chemical dumpsite (called Groyne 42) on the beach front to the North Sea. Toxins have spread in the Nature2000 area, making wastewater pipe-lines leak and caused numerous accidents over the years. The areas on Harboøre Tange is also affected by climate change because of increased rainfall and rising sea levels, which could potentially mobilize and lead to the spread of the contaminants into the groundwater.

Monitoring groundwater level builds on cooperation with citizens who must accept the drilling activities. The Project group has a strong knowledge of local stakeholders, being in a dialogue with citizens in great many ways.

The model contains many variables that must be handled in a manageable, dynamic model. In cooperation with counsellors, the model will be adjusted so that there is a good balance between the need to be accurate and the need to be simple and clear.

Activity C17.2 requires that citizens and other stakeholders will take responsibility and contribute costructively. This challenge will be dealt with through the many contacts between the municipality and local people in Thyborøn in many other contexts.

C17.3 assumes an interest from pipeline manufacturers and knowledge institutions. To counter a lack of engagement, the project team has made initial contact with a pipe manufacturer, who has shown great interest in the project.

C17.4 assumes that citizens and other stakeholders are ready both to find solutions and financing solutions actively. The project partners have extensive experience with the establishment of drainage associations and digelag where landowners contribute extensively. This experience will enable us to benefit greatly from the process.

C17.1

Phase 1:
A detailed investigation and/or surveillance program for monitoring groundwater levels, pollution and land subsidence in Thyborøn and Harboøre Tange provides and essential insight in the actual development.

Phase 2:
A dynamic adaptation model describing the interaction between e.g. rainwater, groundwater, seawater, and pollution on the basis of a hydrogeological model create concrete data for decision-making.

C17.2

Creates broad support from the public and from businesses for the project and climate protection of Thyborøn general.

C17.3

Results in development of methods to extend the lifespan of pipelines in areas influenced by local land subsidence.

C17.4

Provides additional funding and financing possibilities for CCA. 

During Phase 1, expenses for external expert help is expected to amount to 177,651 € based on prior experience with external assistance to local projects.

External assistance is used for the dynamic model – but apart from that, partners contribute with personnel for meetings, planning, awareness-raising.

Estimation of person days for Lemvig Municipality is based on present salaries + pension etc.

Subsistence costs are also based on prior experience and can be further subdivided into Hotel costs, Daily allowances/Payment for meals and local transportation categories, as shown below for this action’s subsistence costs items:

C17.1
Phase 1:

• A detailed investigation program for monitoring groundwater levels, pollution and landsænkning in Thyborøn and Harboøre Tange.
• A report on compilation af data on pollution. Deadline 31/12/2018

Phase 2: 

• A dynamic adaptation model describing the interaction between e.g. rainwater, groundwater and seawater on the basis of a hydrogeological model. Deadline 31/12/2019

C17.2
Phase 1:

• Reporting from citizens meeting 1; deadline 30/06/2018
• Reporting from citizens meeting 2; dealine 30/12/2018

Phase 3:

• Reporting from last workshop; deadline 30/11/2022

C17.3
Phase 2:

• Status report on development; deadline 31/05/2019

Phase 2:

• Status report on development; deadline 31/12/2019

C17.1
28/02/2017: Kick-off meeting with project group done.
31/08/2017: Counselor contracted for delivering a detailed program for investigation and surveilance
30/06/2018: Counselor contracted for delivering a dynamic CCA model
31/10/2019: Reporting on dynamic CCA model delivered, incl. modeling on contaminated areas at Harboøre Tange

C17.2

Phase 1:
31/02/2018: 1st large citizens meeting done
30/06/2018: 1st workshop for stakeholders and decision-makers done

Phase 2:
30/06/2019: 2nd large citizens meeting done
31/12/2019: 2nd workshop for stakeholders and decision-makers done
31/12/2020: 3rd large citizens meeting done

Phase 3:
31/02/2022: 3rd workshop for stakeholders and decision-makers done
31/04/2022: 4th large citizens meeting done

C17.3 
30/04/2018: Contract with private company and counselor on development of new, flexible pipes done
31/10/2020: Reporting on development of methods

C17.4
30/11/2020: Counselor contracted for assistance with preparation of material for architectural competition
30/04/2021: Launching a design competition donedone
31/12/2021:A number of conceptual designs developed, that can solve the climate challenges in Thyborøn and Harboøre Tange and contribute with added value